Course Syllabus Kansas 80-hour Fire Investigator Certification Course Title: Kansas Fire Investigator-Fire Module Course Duration: 80 Hours Program: Fire and Explosion Investigation Course Prerequisite: *80-Hour Law Course *80-hour law module required for Kansas CFI Certification Course Description This course is one of two 80-hour modules intended to be the foundation for fire and explosion investigations. This program meets or exceeds the job performance requirements set forth in NFPA 1033 (Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator). Areas of instruction include the following topics: NFPA 921 and 1033, the Scientific Method, Basic Fire Science, Fire Patterns, Building Systems, Fire Protection Systems, Human Behavior, Planning the Investigation, Fuel Gas Systems, Safety, Legal Considerations, Origin Determination, Causes and Classifications of Fires, Physical Evidence, Electricity and Fire, Appliances, Cause and Responsibility, Failure Analysis and Analytical Tools, Explosions, Incendiary Fires, Managing Complex Investigations, Motor Vehicle Fires, Sources of Information (including interviews), Documentation (including photographs), K-9 Utilization, Wildfire Investigations and Marine Investigations. The class includes live, practical instruction such as burn cell evaluation, vehicle fire evaluation and other demonstrations. Students are not required to bring fire fighting turn out gear, but should bring appropriate PPE including protective footwear, coveralls or other protective outer garments, leather work gloves, protective fluid impervious gloves (such as nitrile gloves), helmet and respirator. Students who do not have appropriate protective gear for certain tasks will not be permitted to participate in that task. A different task will be assigned. Other items that may be helpful include a camera and basic evidence collection tools such as evidence cans. Fire Module Syllabus Version 1, February 2015 1
Course References *NFPA 1033 and NFPA 921 A copy of the course references will be provided to students the first day of the class. These texts are just two of the treatises that will help the investigator throughout his or her career. Students are encouraged to bring and use other documents as reference during the class. These treatises provide a foundation of knowledge for basic fire investigation. They should continue to be utilized and referenced throughout the student s career and in other investigation courses. Kansas Fire Certification Requirements The 80-hour fire investigator class (fire module) is one of two modules required to become a Kansas State Certified Investigator. This class is offered by the Kansas Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators (Kansas IAAI). The fire module will be offered at least every other year on the even years. The office of the Kansas Fire Marshal for certification approves the midterm and final examination. The 80-hour law module is the second class required for State Certification. It is provided by the Kansas Highway Patrol Academy and will be offered every other year in the odd years. Candidates who complete both modules will be eligible to apply for Kansas State Certification. Kansas has two levels of Certified Fire Investigator (level 1 and level 2). See the Kansas Statute for Certification of Fire Investigators for more information on qualifications (http://firemarshal.ks.gov/docs/default-source/osfm-regs/kar22-19--- certification-of-arson-investigators.pdf?sfvrsn=2). Course Policies Individuals participating in this class (students and instructors) will come from a variety of backgrounds including (but not limited to): fire department, law enforcement, private fire investigation, engineering fields and codes. All individuals participating in the classes will be treated with respect. Any problems or issues during a class should be directed to the class coordinator, an instructor or any Kansas IAAI Board Member. Fire Module Syllabus Version 1, February 2015 2
Safety During practical evolutions, students will utilize a team approach. Safety is everyone s responsibility. Practical evolutions will be assigned a safety officer. Students should maintain a situational awareness and bring any safety concerns to an instructor or the safety officer. Attendance and Scoring Students are expected to attend all classes, participate in practical evolutions and presentations. All required coursework shall be completed prior to a certificate being awarded. Individual examinations (midterm and final) require a score of at least 75% for a passing grade. Additional points are awarded for attendance, homework and participation. Students need an overall score of 80% in the class for a certificate to be awarded. Course Content Introduction NFPA 1033 K-9 Utilization The following chapters reference NFPA 921: Chapters 1-4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 11 Chapter 15 Chapter 10 Chapter 13 Chapter 12 Chapter 18 Scientific Method Basic Fire Science Fire Patterns Building Systems Fire Protection Systems Human Behavior Planning the Investigation Fuel Gas Systems Safety Legal Considerations Origin Determination Fire Module Syllabus Version 1, February 2015 3
Course Content Continued Chapters 19 & 20 Chapter 17 Chapter 9 Chapter 26 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 29 Chapter 27 Chapter 14 Chapter 16 Chapters 28 & 30 Cause/Classifications of Fires Physical Evidence Electricity and Fire Appliances Cause and Responsibility Failure Analysis and Analytical Tools Explosions Incendiary Fires Explosion and Fire Death Investigations Managing Complex Investigations Motor Vehicle Fires Sources of Information Documenting the Investigation Wildfire and Marine Fire Investigations Assignments Students are expected to complete assignments on time. Successful completion of assignments is a requirement to receive a certificate. The assignments are given for compliance with Kansas State Certification and the IAAI-FIT designation. Students should read the chapters that will be discussed the following day. In addition, assignments will be given regarding Curriculum Vitae (CV) preparation and modules from CFItrainer.net. Proof of successful completion of the following three CFItrainer classes shall be provided by the students: Ethics and the Investigator, NFPA 1033 and Your Career, Relationship Between 1033 and 921. Fire Module Syllabus Version 1, February 2015 4
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WEEK 1 SCHEDULE MORNING AFTERNOON 1 8:00 AM Introduction 1:00 PM 921 Chapter 5: 8:30 AM NFPA 921, 1033 and Basic Fire Science Scientific Method 3:00 PM 921 Chapter 6: 921 Chapters 1-4 Fire Patterns 2 8:00 AM 921 Chapter 7 1:00 PM 921 Chapter 11 Building Systems Human Behavior 10:00 921 Chapter 8 3:00 PM 921 Chapter 15 Fire Protection Systems Planning the Investigation 8:00 AM 921 Chapter 10 1:00 PM 921 Chapter 12 3 Fuel Gas Systems 11:00 AM 921 Chapter 13 Safety Legal Considerations 8:00 AM 921 Chapter 18 1:00:00 PM Chapter 17 4 Origin Determination 10:00 AM Chapter 19 & 20 Cause/Classifications of Fires Physical Evidence 2-3 hrs 8:00 AM 921 Chapter 9 1:00 PM 921 Chapter 26 5 Electricity & Fire Appliances Live demonstrations 4:00 Mid-term exam Fire Module Syllabus Version 1, February 2015 6
WEEK 2 SCHEDULE MORNING AFTERNOON 1 8:00 AM 921 Chapter 21 1:00 PM 921 Chapter 23 Cause & Responsibility Explosions 10:AM Chapter 22 Fail. Analys & Analytical Tools 2 8:00 AM Chapter 25 1:00 PM 921 Chapter 24 Explosion, Death & Injuries Incendiary Fires 10:00 Chapter 29 Managing Complex Investigarion 3 8:00 AM 921 Chapter 27 1:00 PM Motor Vehicle Fires Motor Vehicle Fires Preparations/Presentations 10:00 AM Burn Vehicles 4 8:00 AM 921 Chapter 14 1:00 PM On-scene Activities Sources of Information Burn Modules 9:00 AM 921 Chapter 16 K-9s Documenting the Investigation 5 8:00 AM Chapters 28 & 30 1:00 PM Wildfire & Marine Investigations Team Report Presentations 10:00 AM 3:00 PM Prepare Team Reports Final Examination Fire Module Syllabus Version 1, February 2015 7